# NTSB NYC97LA010: Piper PA-28R-200, N1216T, Norwood, MA, November 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 1996, 21:00 local (Nov 2, 1996, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Norwood, MA - Location: 42.1905° N, 71.1729° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NORWOOD MEML (OWD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1905&lon=-71.1729&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39299 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39299/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA010 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to perform a go-around, when an animal obstructed the runway; and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstruction (VASI). Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, an animal (deer) on the runway, and the proximity of the obstruction. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - light condition - night (contributing factor) - object - animal(s) (contributing factor) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - vasi light/system (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was returning to his departure airport at 2100, and flew the localizer approach to runway 35. The control tower was closed, and the ATIS stated that the pilot controlled lighting (PCL) was in operation. The pilot stated that he was not able to activate the PCL, and performed a go-around. During the go-around, he was able to activate the runway lights, which included the runway visual approach slope indicator (VASI) for runway 35. During his second approach, while on final, he reduced power at 100 feet and then observed a deer on the runway. The pilot veered the airplane left to avoid the deer, and the airplane touched down on the grass parallel to the runway. After a 300 foot ground roll, the airplane struck the VASI. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 1996, at 2100 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N1216T, was substantially damaged when it collided with a visual approach slope indicator (VASI), while landing at the Norwood Memorial Airport, Norwood, Massachusetts. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Niagara Falls, New York, at 1825. An instrument flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot rented the airplane at the Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), and flew it to Niagara Falls with two passengers. During the return flight, he flew the OWD localizer approach to runway 35. The OWD control tower was closed, and the ATIS stated that the pilot controlled lighting (PCL) was in operation. The pilot stated that he was not able to activate the PCL, and performed a go-around. During the go-around he was able to activate the runway lights, which included the VASI for runway 35. He further stated: "...This ride was smooth and aligned with LOC (localizer), and VASI. I had full flaps and reduced power at about 100 feet. A few seconds later I saw an animal (I believe a deer) just on the runway, and abruptly turned left, but did not pull up. By the time I leveled the wings out, I was hitting the VASI, and then landed on the grass..." The Norwood Police report stated that there were tire marks in the grass for approximately 300 feet before the VASI lights. It also stated that examination of the airplane revealed "...damage to both wings and tail. There was also a large amount of mud on the underside of the plane..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1216T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1216T), registered now, S/N 28R-7235238, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R7235238 - Airframe hours: 5257 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Norwood Air - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1996, 79 hours before - Departed: IAG, NIAGARA FALLS, NY - Destination: OWD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: OWD, Norwood Memorial, runway 35, 4,007 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total, 250 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 250° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BOS, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19961102034649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961102034649A), Nov 2, 1996: Piper PA28R200, Norwood, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck VASI lights on landing while trying to maneuver around an animal on the runway. (-23) N1216T, struck 2nd set of VASI lights @ Norwood airport… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.